general laborer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "general laborer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a worker who performs various tasks that require physical labor, often in construction, manufacturing, or similar fields. Example: "The company is hiring a general laborer to assist with various tasks on the construction site."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

My dad worked as a general laborer.

The Guardian

One afternoon I got to talking with Jeff Oset, a general laborer on the project and a member of Local 472 of the Heavy & General Construction Laborers Unionn.

The New Yorker

Fund v. Brown, 32 Cal.App.4th 188, 202-203, 38 Cal.Rptr.2d 98 (1995) (noting that "truck driving while perhaps not a skilled craft requires abilities beyond those possessed by a general laborer").

Harvard University

She does not work, but her husband is a general laborer working at the minimum wage; however, even at that wage, pay is deducted for transportation and other expenses.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In general, laborers of labor-migrant households tended to be younger and more educated than those of non-labor-migrant households.

Human Ecology

Different labor laws for agricultural and non-agricultural work: Employers who hire general laborers splitting time between the vineyard and winery are subject to different laws between agricultural and nonagricultural work hours.

Cornell University

General site workers, including equipment operators, general laborers, technicians, and other supervised personnel, should have training that provides an overview of the site, specific hazards and their risks, hazard recognition, the proper usage of the engineered controls, and other means of controlling the site's hazards as well as risks has.

Protecting Personnel at Hazardous Waste Sites

Janet M. Hertzog, director of work force development at the community college, said the curriculum will start in June with a certification program for "roustabouts," as the general laborers who assist on well pads are called, that includes 133 hours of intensive training.

The New York Times

"They put their heads down and work," said John Delgado, business manager of Local 79, a general building laborers' union in New York.

The New York Times

The thing is, so much of e-waste is toxic or otherwise dangerous (not to mention the poor conditions in general for laborers) that the towns where it is the chief industry are seriously troubled.

TechCrunch

Still, two construction jobs -- roofers and general construction laborers -- were among the top 10 occupations with the highest fatal work injuries in 2013.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "general laborer", ensure the context clarifies the specific industry or type of work involved, as the term itself is broad. Providing additional details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "general laborer" when a more specific job title exists. For example, if the person primarily works in carpentry, use "carpentry assistant" or a similar title instead. Being specific adds credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "general laborer" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies an individual who performs various tasks requiring physical labor, often without specialized training, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "general laborer" refers to an individual who performs various manual tasks, often in construction or manufacturing. While grammatically correct and understandable, Ludwig examples indicate the expression is relatively rare. It's usage spans across News & Media, Academia and Science and alternative terms like "manual worker" or "unskilled worker" may be more descriptive depending on the context. Being more specific provides more clarity in the professional world.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

manual worker

Focuses on the physical aspect of the job.

unskilled worker

Highlights the lack of specialized skills required.

day laborer

Emphasizes the short-term or temporary nature of the employment.

construction worker

Specifies the industry of employment.

blue-collar worker

Identifies the type of work based on industry or service.

entry-level worker

Highlights that the position is typically for those with little or no experience.

basic labor employee

Replaces 'general' with 'basic' and 'laborer' with 'employee'.

common laborer

Uses "common" instead of "general" to describe the laborer.

production assistant

Suggests a supporting role in manufacturing or other production environments.

helper

Denotes a role involving assisting others, often in manual tasks.

FAQs

What does "general laborer" mean?

A "general laborer" is a worker who performs a variety of physical tasks that don't require specialized skills. The work is often in construction, manufacturing, or landscaping.

What are some synonyms for "general laborer"?

Alternatives include "manual worker", "unskilled worker", or "day laborer", depending on the context.

Is it better to use a more specific job title instead of "general laborer"?

Yes, if the worker's tasks are primarily focused on a specific trade, using a more specific title (like "construction assistant" or "landscaping worker") provides clarity. Using "general laborer" is correct when the worker performs varied tasks.

What kind of jobs does a "general laborer" typically perform?

A "general laborer" might perform tasks like digging, lifting, cleaning, and assisting skilled tradespeople. The specific duties depend on the industry and employer.